A new online tool will help Otago swimmers know which waters are safe this summer.
Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (Lawa) yesterday launched its free Can I Swim Here? interactive map which shows weekly updated water quality information for 25 sites across the region.
It comes two weeks after Otago Regional Council staff began weekly summer-season water quality monitoring.
Council environmental resource scientist Rachel Ozanne said she was pleased to see information from samples they collected was freely available to the public.
''Each week, samples are collected from 25 sites across the region and they are sent to an independent lab for water quality testing.
The website contains information for swimmers on other things to look out for before taking a dip.
These include advice on checking if the water is clean and clear, avoiding swimming for two days after heavy rain, and looking out for other possible hazards.
Regional council director of stakeholder engagement Sian Sutton said she was looking forward to using the map this summer.
''This tool will help families get out and enjoy the stunning rivers, lakes and beaches our region has to offer.
''The website covers popular sites from Lake Wanaka to St Clair Beach, so I recommend people thinking of heading out for a swim take a look.''
Lawa is a partnership between councils, Cawthron Institute, Ministry for the Environment and Massey University and has been supported by the Tindall Foundation.
Yesterday, the only Otago site where the tool advised against swimming was the Kakanui River, at Clifton Falls Bridge, in North Otago.
Caution was advised at the Taieri River at Outram and Waipiata and the Waikouaiti River at Bucklands Crossing. Lake Hayes was cleared as swimmable yesterday after an earlier E.coli outbreak.
